Houseplants are wonderful gifts during any season to give as they provide beautiful colors indoors and many can be planted outdoors during the spring and summer. This gift will have your special someone thinking of you year round as they admire the beauty of the continuous flowers throughout the year. Many people question which plants to give or use in their holiday décor. Below is a short but thorough list of plants to consider.

African violets – are excellent indoor flowering plants that produce flowers year-round under correct growing conditions. African violets prefer good light (but not direct), moist soil (allow to dry slightly), and high humidity.

Amaryllis – Bulbs will normally flower within six to eight weeks of planting in a location receiving direct sunlight. The soil should be kept constantly moist as excessive drying will reduce flower life and cause the flower stalk to bend. For maximum bulb development, keep plants actively growing after they finish blooming in full sun with night temperatures above 60°F. As soon as danger of frost has passed, set the plants in the garden in a semi-shaded location. In the fall, you can leave the bulbs in the ground or bring the plants back indoors to bloom again.

Azalea – Keep plants in a well-lighted location, but avoid direct sun while in flower. A night temperature between 55°F and 60°F will prolong flowering. Keep the soil uniformly moist.

Calceolaria and cineraria – Annuals that thrive in cool temperatures near 50°F to 55°F at night. Provide bright light but not direct sunlight during the day and avoid excessive heat or dry soil as this can cause rapid decline. Since they are annuals, plants will gradually decline after flowering and cannot be reflowered.

Christmas pepper – The fruit will be at peak color for one to two months and will be brighter and last longer under high light, mild temperatures and moist soil. Fertilize weekly with a soluble fertilizer. The plant can be set outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Cyclamens – Cyclamen requires direct sunlight and is a heavy user of water and must be watered whenever the soil surface is dry. After flowering, gradually withhold water until the foliage dies back and continue to not water for six to eight weeks. By mid-summer, begin watering gradually. As new leaves develop, move the plant to a sunny location and resume normal watering and fertilization.

Spring-flowering bulbs – To get the most color and greatest longevity from your spring flowering bulbs, buy plants when the flower buds first show color. Keep plants well-watered as water stress can cut the flowering time in half and do not place them in a sunny location. It is not necessary to fertilize since the plant’s useful life is two to four weeks. Most forced spring-flowering bulbs should be discarded after flowering or planted in the ground.

Gardenias – Maintain high humidity around the plant and keep the soil uniformly moist. Some gardenia cultivars are hardy outdoors – most florist gardenias are not hardy. Gardenias decline rapidly after flowering and should be discarded.

Gloxinias – need bright, indirect light; high humidity; and warm night temperatures. Gloxinias need more light than African violets therefore place them in a bright window just beyond the reach of direct sun light and keep the soil uniformly moist. Gloxinias need to rest before reflowering. When the leaves start to die back, gradually reduce watering until the leaves yellow and die. Place the pot in a cool, dark location and stop watering. Allow the tuberous stem to rest for a minimum of eight to ten weeks in dry soil. Resume watering when new growth appears and move the pot to a bright location to stimulate reflower (although it’s hard to do).

Holiday cacti – Place the plants in a well-lighted location and water thoroughly, but allow them to become moderately dry between waterings. Holiday cacti bloom best when somewhat pot-bound and repotting is necessary only about once every three years. Full sunlight is beneficial in mid-winter, but bright sunlight during summer months can result in pale to yellowish foliage. Holiday cacti require less water from October to March than when new growth is active (April to September).

Hydrangeas – are generally recognized as outdoor flowering shrubs, but are also available as 6- and 8-inch pot plants in the spring. Flowers can last four to eight weeks if plants are bought as color first develops, watered adequately, exposed to mild temperatures and exposed to bright (but not direct) light. After the flowers fade, remove the flower heads and transplant into the landscape.

Kalanchoes – are available year-round in many colors. Flowers will last three to six weeks if plants are provided mild temperatures and medium light. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings; plants are easily damaged by over watering. Keep the plants in a sunny location and move the plants outdoor after the danger of frost has passed.

Poinsettia – The colorful bracts of poinsettias may stay bright for months if cared for properly. Bright, indirect light (but not direct light) and frequent watering are essential. Do not allow the plant to wilt. Punch holes in the bottom of the decorative foil to provide drainage, as poinsettias do not tolerate poor drainage.

Orchids – are easily cared for if kept away from intense light and cold. They do very well under fluorescent lights or near a south-facing window. Most orchids bloom only once a year, but the blooms can last as long as two months. Fertilize only when new leaves appear. Water often but allow the bark medium to dry out thoroughly between waterings. Orchids can be grown outdoors under the shade of trees after the danger of frost has passed.

If you need further information about caring for your indoor plants, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344 or visit our website at franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.